Strategic Foresight: A New Look at Scenarios [Hardcover]

Alfred Marcus (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 23, 2009 | ISBN-10: 0230611729 | ISBN-13: 978-0230611726

Scenario planning is the principles, methods, and techniques for looking forward into the future and trying to anticipate and influence what is to come next. This book provides students and line managers in organizations with the means to create better scenarios and to use them to create winning business strategies. The purpose is to shed new light on scenarios and scenario-like thinking in organizations for managers at every level within a company.  The book covers scenarios such as: economic outlooks; political environments; acquisitions; downsizing, and more.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Strategic Foresight deserves to be widely read and discussed. The book holds that decision makers should imagine multiple possibilities and that predicting futures is less useful than shaping better futures. This constructive approach can have beneficial impacts for our feelings about our futures, our ability to mold our futures, and the futures we achieve.” —William H Starbuck, Professor in Residence, University of Oregon

 

“In this timely and practical book, Alfred Marcus draws on his extensive knowledge of strategy, business, and society to show companies and their members how to systematically read the future, unlock its mysteries, and indeed take part in writing it.” —Moshe Farjoun, The Schulich School of Business, Canada.

About the Author

Alfred Marcus is a Professor in the department of Strategic Management and Organization, Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. 

Product Details

• Hardcover: 228 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan (June 23, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0230611729
• ISBN-13: 978-0230611726
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #798,186 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I was born in Pittsbugh, Pa. and grew up in Squirrel Hill in the 1950s and 1960s. My bachelor and master's degrees are from the University of Chicago. Besides Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, Chicago, and Boston (I did my PH.D at Harvard), I have lived in Seattle (5 years, from 1979-1984) where I worked in research and consulting. I have traveled throughout the world, many times to Europe and the Middle East and last year I got a chance to travel to Hong Kong and China and to Russia. Every year for the past five years I have taken a group of Carlson School students to Costa Rica to study at INCAE, a very fine business school. As part of the research I My comments of business and management topics regularly appear in newspapers, television, and magazines. I have taught for more than 20 years at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. I also teach in the executive masters program in the management of technology located in the Center for Technological Development and Leadership in the engineering school of the University of Minnesota. The courses I teach are business strategy, business ethics, business and the natural environment, and the environment of technology.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great, insight full thinking, December 5, 2009

By 

Gregory R. Videen - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Strategic Foresight: A New Look at Scenarios (Hardcover)

Alfred is a remarkable professor. He stimulates the mind with insight full ideas, and he is always trying to think outside of the box. This book is no different. It creates a new mindset for thinking about business problems. This book can be read and enjoyed by those who are looking to change a companies direction, or those simply trying to find a new way to attack a simple business problem. Definitely a recommended read in today's every changing and evolving world.

4.0 out of 5 stars PJ RAMIREZ, April 20, 2011

By 

Pedro J. Ramirez (San German, Puerto Rico, PR) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Strategic Foresight: A New Look at Scenarios (Hardcover)

This book is excellent. It condenses all the knowledge in strategic thinking and pushes you to do more. If you want your business to hold a sustained leadership position, you should follow the key concepts in this book. It is ideal to complement the books of Michael Porter.